 |
| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | livel, from Latin libella, from libra 'weight, balance' |
1 the amount or degree of something, compared to another amount or degree
amount
high/low level 
Dolphins show a high level of intelligence.Inflation dropped to its lowest level in 30 years.
Dolphins show a high level of intelligence.Inflation dropped to its lowest level in 30 years.2 a particular standard of skill or ability, for example in education or sport
standard
at ... level Students at this level may have problems with basic grammar. What level do you think you're at?
Students at this level may have problems with basic grammar.What level do you think you're at? beginner/advanced/national etc level Few athletes can compete at international level. an advanced-level coursebook
➔ A levelFew athletes can compete at international level.an advanced-level coursebook3 the height of something in relation to the ground or to another object
height
at ... level Your arms should be at the same level as your desk.
Your arms should be at the same level as your desk. eye/knee/shoulder etc level (=the same height as your eyes etc) Skirts this year are just above knee level.
Skirts this year are just above knee level. water/oil etc level (=the height of the water etc from the ground or the bottom of a container) Check the water level in the car radiator.
➔ ground level, sea levelCheck the water level in the car radiator.4 a floor or area of ground that is at a particular height, especially when you can go up or down to other floors or areas The town is built on different levels. The medical center is on one level (=so that you do not have to go up or down). ➔ split-level
floor/ground
TBBThe town is built on different levels.The medical center is on one level (=so that you do not have to go up or down).5 a particular position in a system that has different ranks of importance
rank of job
at ... level Training is offered at each level in the department.
➔ high-level, low-levelTraining is offered at each level in the department.6 a way of considering or understanding something
way of understanding
on ... level The story can be understood on many different levels.
The story can be understood on many different levels.7 happening within a small area or the whole area of a state, country etc : These changes are taking place at regional level.
at local/state/national etc level
These changes are taking place at regional level.8 a situation in which different people, companies, countries, etc can all compete fairly because no one has special advantages : Small businesses want to compete on a level playing field with larger ones.
a level playing field
Small businesses want to compete on a level playing field with larger ones.10 to behave as badly as someone : If you hit him back, you'll only be descending to his level.
descend/sink to somebody's level
If you hit him back, you'll only be descending to his level.11 a tool used for checking that a surface is flat [= spirit-level]
